The Scriptures
Why the Bible is God’s trustworthy written Word, why the original writings carry divine authority, and how Scripture finds its center and fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
Statement of Faith
This Statement of Faith began in 1982, when I prepared an early version on a typewriter while attending Multnomah School of the Bible. I expanded and revised it approximately twenty years later. I have now returned to it for a careful review in light of God’s Word.
It presents my current understanding of the central teachings of Scripture. It is not intended to be an exhaustive systematic theology or a reproduction of any single historic confession.
Historic Christian teaching has helped inform this work, but Scripture is the final authority by which every statement must be tested. These pages therefore represent my present convictions, held firmly but humbly and always subject to correction by God’s Word.
This review has not produced a milder view of doctrine. It has produced a more focused one. Biblical truth must reach beyond the words we affirm. It must address the attitudes of the heart and shape our worship, motives, relationships, conduct, service, and hope.
Each doctrinal page includes:
- A concise statement of belief
- Supporting passages from Scripture
- An explanation in layman’s terms
- Additional discussion for further study
- A memory passage
Foundations
These statements explain the authority for our beliefs, the nature of the God who has revealed Himself, and humanity’s creation, purpose, and fall.
The Godhead
One divine Being eternally existing as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—equal in divine nature and glory, yet distinct as Persons.
The Creation and Fall of Humanity
God purposefully created humanity in His image, but human rebellion brought sin, separation, and death, leaving every person in need of redemption.
Salvation and Christian Growth
These statements explain what Christ has accomplished, how salvation is received and secured, and how God continues His transforming work in those who belong to Him.
The First Advent of Jesus Christ
The eternal Son of God became truly human and fulfilled God’s saving purpose through His sinless life, sacrificial death, and bodily resurrection.
Salvation Only Through Christ
Why reconciliation with God is found only through Jesus Christ and is received by God’s grace through faith.
The Completeness of Salvation
How God’s saving work includes new birth, justification, adoption, and a new and secure standing in Christ.
The Eternal Security of the Believer
Why those who have truly been saved through Christ are kept by God’s power and will never be finally lost.
Sanctification
How the Holy Spirit progressively shapes believers into the likeness of Christ through growth, correction, setbacks, and restoration.
Assurance of Salvation
Where confidence in salvation rests, how Scripture and the Holy Spirit give assurance, and why biblical assurance differs from presumption.
The Holy Spirit
The divine Person who gives new life, indwells every believer, illuminates Scripture, produces spiritual fruit, distributes gifts, and empowers faithful living.
The Church and Its Mission
These statements describe how believers live together, serve one another, make disciples, observe Christ’s ordinances, and pursue truth, unity, accountability, and restoration.
The Church and the Unity of Believers
Why all true believers are one in Christ and are called to pursue unity grounded in both biblical truth and genuine love.
The Christian Walk
How believers live by faith and through the Holy Spirit, following Christ from a transformed heart rather than relying upon human willpower.
Christian Service
Why every believer is called to serve God and others through spiritual gifts, ordinary responsibilities, and the opportunities God provides.
The Great Commission
Why every believer shares responsibility for making disciples through faithful words, actions, baptism, teaching, and daily life.
Baptism
Why believers are baptized by immersion as a public act of obedience that identifies them with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Lord’s Supper
How the bread and cup remember and proclaim Christ’s completed sacrifice, express fellowship among believers, and call us to gratitude and self-examination.
Church Discipline and Restoration
How the church should confront sin truthfully and carefully for the protection of people, the health of the church, and, wherever possible, repentance, reconciliation, and restoration.
Our Future Hope
These statements address the unseen spiritual realm, the promises believers await, the return of Jesus Christ, the resurrection, final judgment, and life with God in the eternal state.
Angels and Demons
What Scripture reveals—and does not reveal—about faithful angels, Satan, demons, spiritual conflict, and the complete authority of Jesus Christ.
The Christian Hope
The believer’s confident expectation of Christ’s return, bodily resurrection, final transformation, and everlasting life in His presence.
The Second Coming of Jesus Christ
Why Jesus Christ will return personally, bodily, visibly, and gloriously, and how this promised return should shape faithful Christian living.
Heaven and the Eternal State
What Scripture teaches about the believer’s presence with Christ after death, the bodily resurrection, final judgment, and everlasting life in the new heavens and new earth.
Study Resources
Verse Listing
A consolidated listing of the Scripture passages used throughout these statements, organized to support reading, comparison, and further study.
References
The Bible translations, study materials, historic documents, and other resources consulted while preparing and reviewing this Statement of Faith.
Continuing the Study
These pages state my present convictions, but they do not exhaust the subjects they address. The Further Study sections identify questions and themes that deserve deeper consideration.
Some of these subjects may eventually become blog posts as Scripture, experience, and the concerns of the heart bring them into focus.
For current theological reflections and continuing studies, visit blog.kogers.com.
Questions and Comments
Questions and thoughtful responses are welcome. To discuss something in this Statement of Faith, please email info@kogers.com.
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